Bentley deal close

Tottenham are on the verge of signing David Bentley from Blackburn and will confirm the transfer providing the England winger passes a medical on Wednesday.

The 23-year-old could be unveiled before travelling to Holland this weekend to be part of Tottenham's pre-season preparations, after talks with Blackburn advanced in the last 48 hours.

Rovers chairman John Williams had rejected bids earlier in the summer from Spurs and Aston Villa, but an improved offer was lodged, closer to the £18million Bentley was valued at.

Arsenal, Bentley's former club, are expected to receive a percentage of the deal as part of the terms of his transfer to Ewood Park.

Tottenham head coach Juande Ramos will still be in the market for a striker to replace Robbie Keane following his move to Liverpool, while Dimitar Berbatov has also been tipped to leave.

Russia forward Roman Pavlyuchenko has been monitored and Spurs have been invited to bid for his international team-mate Andrei Arshavin.

Luka Modric, the £16.5million summer signing from Dinamo Zagreb, believes the club can still aim for the Champions League places without their main strikers of the last two seasons.

The midfielder said: "I agree that the team needs great players but I'm also certain that if Berbatov leaves that they will bring in other phenomenal players. This club needs great names and this club will have great names.

"The manager has not told me anything but that is what I suppose."

He added: "As regards the club, the ambition has to be getting in this group of four - Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal - and of course to get in the Champions League."